Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Arcata City Council Election 2026
2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council
Vote for up to 2- Blase BonpanePolitical science lecturer, nonprofit administrator, world history teacher and permaculture designer.2sourced
- Reese HalterEarth system scientist, broadcaster and author of 14 books. Holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington.2sourced
Genevieve SernaAdministrative analyst and chair of Arcata's Transportation Safety Committee. Earned a Bachelor of Science at Humboldt State University.3sourced
- Daniel John ShahinSoftware engineer and former CTO running for Arcata City Council.3sourced
- Abigail "Abbie" StricklandTransportation planner and three-year member of the Arcata Planning Commission. Graduated from Humboldt State in 2020 with a degree in Planning and Policy.4sourced
Kimberley WhiteIncumbentArcata mayor and incumbent councilmember who previously served three years on the Planning Commission.9sourced
Two City Council seats are open in a single contest, and six candidates are listed.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01Housing and zoning3 sourced facts
Where it standsArcata is updating its zoning and land use rules, and candidates disagree on how to ease or limit new housing.
What's on the tableThe council will decide zoning and land use code changes that shape how much housing can be built and how tall.
- The council voted 5-0 on March 18, 2026 to adopt a comprehensive update to the Coastal Zoning Ordinance. Arcata City Council minutes, March 18, 2026 · Mar 18, 2026
- On May 12, 2026 the Planning Commission considered recommendations for amendments to the Land Use Code consistent with the Arcata 2045 General Plan. Arcata Planning Commission minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026
- At an October 2026 forum, the moderator said cities and counties across the state are preparing for the next housing element update. Times-Standard · Oct 1, 2026
02Measure G sales tax extension2 sourced facts
Where it standsA measure to extend the city's current three-fourths cent sales tax is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
What's on the tableVoters decide whether to extend the tax; the council would then direct how the revenue is spent.
- The ballot measure would extend the term of the city's current three-fourths of one cent transactions and use tax. City of Arcata · Jul 16, 2026
- The council voted 5-0 on June 17, 2026 to place the Measure G renewal on the ballot. Arcata City Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026
03Data center moratorium3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted a 45-day moratorium on data center land-use applications in September 2026.
What's on the tableThe council may extend the moratorium or adopt land-use rules for data centers.
- The council voted 5-0 to approve an interim urgency ordinance halting new data center applications. Times-Standard · Sep 17, 2026
- Staff must return to the council by Oct. 21 with a public report on the study process. Times-Standard · Sep 17, 2026
- The moratorium can be extended for up to 10 months and 15 days, and later for an additional 12 months. Times-Standard · Sep 17, 2026
04Response to homelessness1 sourced fact
Where it standsCandidates differ on the city's former safe parking program and on how to help unhoused residents.
What's on the tableThe council will decide how the city funds and runs services for unhoused residents.
- At an October 2026 forum, candidates were asked about the city's response to its unhoused population and discussed the safe parking program. Times-Standard · Oct 1, 2026
1 note on these statements
Measure G, a proposal to extend the city's three-fourths cent transactions and use tax, is also on the Arcata ballot. City of Arcata · Jul 16, 2026
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Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. How should Arcata change its rules to allow more housing?
2. Should Arcata cap new buildings at three stories?
3. Should Arcata pause new data center applications while it studies them?
4. What should Arcata do about its safe parking program for unhoused residents?
Key dates
- County elections officials begin mailing ballots (by this date)California Secretary of StateOct 5, 2026
- Last day to register to vote onlineCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
- Election Day (polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)California Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Stacy Atkins-Salazar, Sarah Schaefer, Alexandra Stillman2 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The City Council has five members. City of Arcata
- The Arcata City Council contest is listed for two seats with four-year terms running 2027 to 2031. Humboldt County
- The City's Municipal Code requires the council to select the mayor and vice-mayor annually at a special meeting held each December. City of Arcata · Dec 11, 2020
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